MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island police are investigating a shooting incident which occurred yesterday afternoon (September 28, 2005) in Honokaa. Hamakua patrol officers responding to a 3:04 p.m. report of a shooting in “New Stable Camp” found 46 year-old Stanley Joaquin with a single gunshot wound to the leg. He related he was cleaning the interior of his vehicle when he took hold of a rifle which lay within. The firearm which was pointing in his direction at the time fired once, striking him in the leg. There was no one else reported to be near the vehicle at the time.

Joaquin was transported by Fire/Rescue personnel to the North Hawaii Community Hospital where he underwent surgery. He is currently confined within the Intensive Care Unit in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery.

This incident has been classified as a home accident. Detectives assigned to the East Hawaii Criminal Investigations Section are continuing the investigation.